The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner, and training camp and preseason games are the stage for position battles.

Which newcomers will make an immediate impact? Which veterans are ready for a chance to crack the starting lineup? Which rookies have been so impressive that they will take the field from the first whistle?

There are No. 1 quarterback battles in Tampa, Indianapolis and perhaps Washington. There are backup quarterback jobs up for grabs in Green Bay, San Francisco and Tennessee. Those all are worth watching. Most of the other position battles have to do with protecting quarterbacks (offensive linemen) and limiting their production (secondary).

NFL Nation reporters break down the biggest competitions in training camp for all 32 teams.

Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH

Middle linebacker

There are a couple of other positions to watch here, but the middle linebacker is responsible for defensive communication and leadership, making it the most important battle for the Bills as they look to replace Tremaine Edmunds. The battle is between, in order of where things currently stand, fourth-year linebacker Tyrel Dodson and two 2022 draft picks — third-rounder Terrel Bernard and seventh-rounder Baylon Spector. Thus far, the three are rotating on the first team, with each spending a day running with the ones. The biggest tests are ongoing, with more practices in pads and preseason games to come. — Alaina Getzenberg

Cornerback

Dolphins fans would have formed a mob if I had written this two months ago, but with Jalen Ramsey potentially missing the first few months of the season, there is suddenly a battle at what was once Miami’s strongest defensive position. With Kader Kohou likely manning the starting slot corner position, the trio of Cam Smith, Noah Igbinoghene and recent signee Eli Apple will jockey for the outside role opposite Xavien Howard. The light is beginning to turn on for Smith, a rookie now in the second week of training camp, and he could launch himself into a starting role with a big preseason. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

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Right tackle

The Patriots didn’t select a tackle until the fourth round of the draft (Sidy Sow) despite the position ranking among the team’s top needs. Veteran free agent signing Riley Reiff is the likely starter, but former practice-squad player Conor McDermott has rotated in at times. Meanwhile, free agent signee Calvin Anderson has opened training camp on the non-football illness list. — Mike Reiss

Center

Incumbent Connor McGovern is the favorite, with Wes Schweitzer and rookie Joe Tippmann running second and third, respectively. Tippmann, drafted in the second round, isn’t making the push everyone expected. McGovern, thought to be a placeholder after returning on a modest, one-year contract ($1.9 million), is getting the vast majority of first-team reps in camp. Tippmann is dealing with a steep learning curve. It’s not too late to make a move, but he’s running out of time. — Rich Cimini